Issue

Children's Social Care

24 stories · discussed at 12 council meetings · 19 councils

Councils are grappling with significant financial overspends in children's social care, driven by rising demand and complex cases.

Councils are reporting significant financial pressures in children's social care, leading to projected overspends. Bromley Council projects a £4.5 million overspend for 2026-27 due to placement costs and staffing, as reported in September 2026. Lewisham Council faces a projected £6.5 million General Fund overspend for 2026/27, partly from increased school transport expenses, according to a September 2026 report. Tower Hamlets Council projected an £18.6 million General Fund overspend for 2025-26, driven by increased demand in children's social care and SEND provision, as reported in July 2026.

The complexity of cases within children's social care is increasing, with Richmond upon Thames reporting a 73% surge in statutory complaints in 2025-26, linked to placement-related concerns, according to a September 2026 report. In response, Hackney Council implemented its 'Families First Partnership' programme in May 2026, overhauling children's social care to prioritise early intervention and multi-agency collaboration, as discussed in September 2026. Croydon's Scrutiny Children & Young People Sub-Committee noted high referral rates to children's social care and a rapid increase in Education, Health and Care Plans in June 2026.

Councils continue to discuss children's social care, with Lambeth's Cabinet and Finance and Budget Scrutiny Committee reviewing financial performance in September 2026. Hackney's Children and Young People Scrutiny Commission discussed the Families First Partnership reforms in September 2026. Hammersmith and Fulham established a new Families, Health and Care Policy and Accountability Committee in June 2026 to scrutinise health and care services, including children's issues.

Key facts

  1. Bromley Council projects a £4.5 million overspend in children's social care for 2026-27. Source
  2. Lewisham Council projects a £6.5 million General Fund overspend for 2026/27, partly from increased school transport expenses. Source
  3. Richmond upon Thames reported a 73% surge in statutory complaints in children's services in 2025-26. Source
  4. Hackney Council implemented its 'Families First Partnership' programme in May 2026. Source
  5. Tower Hamlets Council projected an £18.6 million General Fund overspend for 2025-26. Source 1 Source 2 Source 3
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 2

  1. Merton faces £9.6m budget gap by 2027/28 Merton Council is facing a projected budget gap of £9.694 million by the financial year 2027/28, with the deficit expected to grow to £33.808 million by 2030/31. This... Merton 17 July 2026
  2. Westminster faces £161m budget gap by 2030 Westminster City Council faces a projected budget deficit of £161 million by 2030, a stark increase from previous forecasts, due to significant reductions in government funding... Westminster 17 July 2026
  3. Westminster City Council Reports £8.2m Overspend on Temporary Accommodation Westminster City Council has reported an £8.2 million overspend for the 2025/26 financial year, a figure primarily driven by escalating costs in temporary accommodation and... Westminster 17 July 2026
  4. Croydon Committee Reviews Children's Services Transformation and Demand Pressures Croydon's Scrutiny Children & Young People Sub-Committee met on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, to review the progress of the local plan and discuss various aspects of children's... Croydon 5 July 2026
  5. New Families, Health and Care Policy and Accountability Committee established in Hammersmith and Fulham Hammersmith and Fulham has established a new committee to scrutinise health and care services across the borough. The Families, Health and Care Policy and Accountability... Hammersmith and Fulham 30 June 2026
  6. Sutton Council's People Directorate Faces Significant Financial Pressures, Particularly in Adult Social Care and SEND Services Sutton Council's People Directorate is grappling with significant financial pressures, accounting for two-thirds of the council's overall budget. Adult Social Care alone... Sutton 20 June 2026
  7. Bexley Council forecasts £1.36m budget overspend, citing improved financial position Bexley Council is forecasting a budget overspend of £1.361 million for the financial year 2025/26, representing less than half a percent of its total net revenue budget of just... Bexley 11 April 2026
  8. Bexley Children's Services Faces £2.2m Overspend Due to Increased Support Costs Bexley's Children's Services is facing a projected overspend of £2.234 million, primarily driven by increased costs associated with supporting children with disabilities and... Bexley 26 March 2026